CHIEF ENGINEER Unit 10 Code of Safe Working Practice Q1

The Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP) is a comprehensive guide published by the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) outlining safe working practices and procedures to be followed onboard UK-flagged merchant ships. It serves as a crucial reference for seafarers, providing practical advice and guidance on various aspects of health and safety at sea.

Key features and purposes of the COSWP:

• Regulatory Framework and Best Practices: It encompasses both the regulatory framework for health and safety onboard ships and offers best practice guidance. It outlines the statutory duties underlying the advice and provides practical information for safe working practices.
• Risk Management and Prevention: The COSWP focuses on identifying and evaluating risks in the maritime work environment. It then provides recommendations for control measures to eliminate or minimize these risks, protecting seafarers from harm to the extent reasonably practicable.
• Comprehensive Coverage: It addresses a wide array of safety concerns, including:
  • Managing occupational health and safety
  • Safety induction for new personnel
  • Living on board
  • Emergency drills and procedures
  • Fire precautions
  • Security on board
  • Workplace health surveillance
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Safe movement and manual handling on board
  • Noise, vibration, and other physical agents
  • Permit to work systems
  • Entering enclosed spaces
  • Working at height
  • Lifting equipment and operations
  • Work on machinery and power systems
  • And more…
• Legal Requirement: The COSWP is a statutory requirement and must be carried on board and readily accessible to all crew members on UK-flagged merchant ships.
• Regular Updates: The COSWP is periodically reviewed and updated to reflect changes in legislation, industry best practices, and technological advancements. The latest edition, as of September 2024, has been redesigned and modernized for improved functionality and clarity.

In summary, the COSWP acts as an indispensable safety manual for seafarers, promoting a safety-conscious culture onboard and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. By providing clear guidance and practical advice, it helps minimize risks, prevent accidents, and protect the health and well-being of those working at sea.

Before undertaking certain high-risk tasks on board a merchant vessel, specific Permits to Work must be obtained to ensure safety and minimize potential hazards. These permits act as a formal authorization and communication tool, outlining the necessary precautions and control measures for each task.  

1. Health and safety on ships: Safe working practices – GOV.UK

2. What Is Permit to Work? – Sphera

Common types of Permits to Work:

• Hot Work Permit: Required for tasks involving open flames or the generation of heat, such as welding, cutting, and grinding. This permit ensures that fire prevention and firefighting measures are in place, and that flammable materials are removed or protected.   1. Hot Work Permits – eLCOSH www.elcosh.org2. Hot Work Permit Requirements – EMC Insurance www.emcinsurance.com
• Enclosed Space Entry Permit: Necessary for entering enclosed spaces, such as tanks, cargo holds, or ballast tanks, which may have hazardous atmospheres or other risks. This permit verifies that the space has been properly ventilated, tested for oxygen levels and toxic gases, and that rescue equipment is readily available.   1. Health and safety on ships: Safe working practices – GOV.UK www.gov.uk
• Working at Height Permit: Required for any work that involves a risk of falling from a height, such as working on masts, rigging, or staging. This permit ensures that appropriate fall protection equipment is used, that the work area is secure, and that rescue procedures are in place.   1. Health and safety on ships: Safe working practices – GOV.UK www.gov.uk
• Machinery Isolation Permit: Essential when working on machinery or equipment that could start unexpectedly or release stored energy. This permit ensures that the machinery is properly isolated from all power sources, locked out, and tagged out to prevent accidental startup or movement.
• Electrical Work Permit: Required for any electrical work, particularly involving high voltage systems. This permit verifies that the electrical circuits have been de-energized, tested, and grounded, and that qualified personnel are performing the work.   1. Health and safety on ships: Safe working practices – GOV.UK www.gov.uk
• Cold Work Permit: Used for tasks that do not involve hot work but still carry potential risks, such as working with chemicals, using power tools, or working in confined spaces with limited ventilation. This permit outlines the specific hazards and necessary precautions for the task.
• Radiography Permit: Required when using X-ray or other radiation sources for non-destructive testing. This permit ensures that proper radiation safety measures are in place and that personnel are protected from exposure.

The Permit to Work system typically includes:

• Risk Assessment: Identification and evaluation of potential hazards associated with the task.
• Control Measures: Implementation of appropriate control measures to eliminate or minimize risks.   1. Mastering safety management : The role of Permit to Work systems – Novade www.novade.net
• Authorization: The permit must be authorized by a responsible person, such as the Master or Chief Engineer, who verifies that all safety precautions are in place.
• Communication: The permit serves as a communication tool, informing all relevant personnel about the ongoing work, its location, and any associated hazards.
• Monitoring and Review: The work is monitored throughout its duration, and the permit may be reviewed or canceled if conditions change or new risks arise.

Conclusion

The Permit to Work system is a vital safety management tool in the maritime industry. By ensuring that high-risk tasks are carefully planned, controlled, and communicated, it helps to prevent accidents and protect the health and safety of seafarers.

Before a Permit to Work is issued, several essential conditions must be met to ensure the safety of personnel and the environment during potentially hazardous tasks.

These conditions can be broadly categorized into:

1. Risk Assessment and Control Measures:

• Thorough Risk Assessment: A comprehensive risk assessment must be conducted to identify all potential hazards associated with the task. This assessment should consider factors such as the nature of the work, location, equipment involved, potential energy sources, environmental conditions, and the competence of the personnel involved.
• Adequate Control Measures: Based on the risk assessment, appropriate control measures must be implemented to eliminate or mitigate the identified hazards. This may involve isolation of energy sources, use of personal protective equipment, ventilation, fire prevention measures, or other relevant safeguards.

2. Communication and Coordination:

• Clear Communication of Hazards: The Permit to Work should clearly communicate the identified hazards and the specific control measures to be followed. It should be readily available at the worksite and easily understandable by all involved personnel.
• Coordination with Other Activities: The work to be performed under the permit must be coordinated with any other ongoing activities in the vicinity to prevent conflicts and ensure overall safety.

3. Personnel and Competency:

• Competent Personnel: The individuals involved in the work, including the issuer, receiver, and those performing the task, must be competent and trained in the specific procedures and safety precautions related to the work.
• Supervision: Adequate supervision should be provided, especially for complex or high-risk tasks, to ensure compliance with the permit conditions and to address any unforeseen issues that may arise.

4. Equipment and Tools:

• Safe and Suitable Equipment: All equipment and tools used for the task must be safe, suitable for the intended purpose, and in good working condition.
• Inspection and Testing: Relevant equipment, such as lifting gear or electrical tools, should be inspected and tested as required to ensure their safe operation.

5. Worksite Preparation:

• Isolation and Lockout/Tagout: Energy sources, such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic, must be isolated and locked out or tagged out to prevent accidental startup or release of energy during the work.
• Clearance and Access: The worksite should be prepared with adequate clearance, access, and lighting to ensure safe working conditions.
• Emergency Preparedness: Emergency procedures and equipment, such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and communication devices, should be readily available at the worksite.

6. Authorization and Approval:

• Authorized Issuer: The Permit to Work must be issued by a competent and authorized person who has thoroughly assessed the risks and verified that all necessary control measures are in place.
• Acceptance by Performer: The person or team responsible for carrying out the work must sign the permit to acknowledge that they understand the hazards, control measures, and their responsibilities.

7. Validity and Closure:

• Time Limits: The Permit to Work should have a specific validity period, after which it must be renewed or closed out.
• Completion and Handover: Once the work is completed, the worksite must be inspected to ensure it is safe and left in a satisfactory condition. The permit should then be closed out, and any remaining hazards or precautions communicated during handover to the relevant personnel.

By meeting these conditions before issuing a Permit to Work, organizations can significantly enhance safety, minimize risks, and ensure that potentially hazardous tasks are carried out in a controlled and responsible manner.

A Permit to Work for a typical task within the machinery spaces of a vessel would likely include the following key points:

Task Identification and Details:

• Task Description: Clear and concise description of the work to be carried out, including the specific machinery or systems involved.
• Location: Precise identification of the location within the machinery spaces where the work will take place.
• Personnel: Names and qualifications of the individuals authorized to perform the task, as well as the person issuing and accepting the permit.
• Date and Time: The date and time the permit is issued, its validity period, and any extensions or cancellations.

Hazard Identification and Assessment:

• Potential Hazards: A list of all potential hazards associated with the task, such as mechanical, electrical, thermal, chemical, or environmental hazards.
• Risk Assessment: An evaluation of the risks associated with each hazard, considering the likelihood and potential severity of harm.

Control Measures:

• Isolation and Lockout/Tagout: Specific procedures for isolating, locking out, and tagging out energy sources, such as electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, or pneumatic systems, to prevent accidental startup or release of energy.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): A list of required PPE, such as safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and respiratory protection, depending on the nature of the task.
• Ventilation: Requirements for ventilation or atmospheric monitoring, particularly in confined spaces or when working with hazardous substances.
• Fire Prevention and Protection: Specific fire prevention and protection measures, including fire watch, fire extinguishers, and emergency procedures.
• Other Precautions: Any additional safety precautions or control measures specific to the task, such as securing loose objects, using safety barriers, or working in pairs.

Emergency Procedures:

• Communication: Clear communication protocols in case of an emergency, including contact information for key personnel and emergency services.
• Evacuation: Evacuation procedures and muster points for personnel working in the machinery spaces.
• First Aid: Location of first aid equipment and procedures for providing immediate medical assistance.

Authorizations and Signatures:

• Issuer’s Signature: Signature of the authorized person issuing the permit, confirming that the risk assessment has been conducted, control measures are in place, and the work can proceed safely.
• Receiver’s Signature: Signature of the person responsible for carrying out the work, acknowledging that they understand the hazards, control measures, and their responsibilities.

Completion and Closure:

• Completion Inspection: Once the work is completed, an inspection of the worksite should be conducted to ensure it is safe and left in a satisfactory condition.
• Permit Closure: The permit should be closed out by the issuer or a designated person, indicating that the work is complete and the area is safe for normal operation.

Additional Considerations:

• Clearance and Access: The permit may also specify requirements for clearing the work area of any obstructions or ensuring adequate access for personnel and equipment.
• Permits for Specific Tasks: Depending on the nature of the work, additional permits might be required, such as hot work permits, enclosed space entry permits, or electrical work permits.
• Regular Review: The permit should be reviewed periodically during the work to ensure that conditions remain safe and that any changes or new hazards are addressed.

Remember, the Permit to Work system is crucial for maintaining a safe working environment in the machinery spaces. By following the established procedures and adhering to the permit conditions, the risk of accidents and injuries can be significantly reduced.

The time period over which a Permit to Work remains in force outside of workshop areas is typically 24 hours. This is in accordance with the guidance provided in the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers (COSWP).

However, it’s important to note that this is a general guideline and the actual duration can vary depending on the specific task, the associated risks, and the ship’s safety management system.

Some factors that might influence the duration of a Permit to Work include:

• Complexity of the task: More complex or time-consuming tasks might require a longer permit duration.
• Level of risk: Tasks with higher risks might necessitate shorter permit durations to ensure frequent review and reassessment of the safety conditions.
• Shift changes: If the task extends across multiple shifts, the permit might need to be renewed or re-issued at each shift change to ensure continuity of control measures and communication.
• Unforeseen circumstances: If unexpected situations arise during the work, such as a change in weather conditions or the discovery of additional hazards, the permit might need to be suspended or cancelled until the situation is reassessed.

In any case, the Permit to Work should clearly specify its period of validity, and any time limits to the work that it authorizes. It’s crucial to adhere to these time limits and renew the permit if necessary to maintain safety and ensure that the work is carried out under controlled conditions.